Leather-working machine.



No. 695,729. Patented Mar. I8, I902. A. F. JONES.

LEATHER WORKING MACHINE.

(Applicaflon filed Nov. 20, 1900.) (No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet I.

No. 695,729. Patented Mar. l8, I902.

A. F. JONES.

LEATHER WORKING MACHINE.

(Application filed Nov. 20, 1900.)

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

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No. 695,729. Patented Mar. I8, 1902.

A F. JONES.

LEATHER WORKING MACHINE.

, (Application filed Nov. 20, 1900. (No Model.) a Sheets8haet '3.

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ALBERT F. JONES, OF SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE AS-SIGNMENTS, TO VAUGHN MACHINE COMPANY, OF- BOSTON, MASSACHU- SETTS, ACORPORATION OF IVEST VIRGINIA.

LEATHER-WORKING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 695,729, dated March18, 1902. Application filed November 20. 1900- Serial No. 37,116. (Nomodel.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be itknown that I, ALBERT F. JONES, acitizen of the United States,residing in Salem, in the county of Essex and State of Massachusetts,have invented an Improvement in Leather-forking Machines, of which thefollowing description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, isa specification, like characters on the drawings representing likeparts.

This invention relates to a machine for working leather, and is hereinshown as embodied in a putting-out machine especially adapted forworking on light stock, such as skins.

IS The invention is an improvement upon that class of leather-workingmachines in which a series of tables are caused to travel in an endlesspath and are acted upon by suitable tools.

One of the features of this invention is to provide a machine which iscapable of being run by a single operator and one in which the hide orskin may be acted upon twice before returning to the starting-point.

In accordance with this invention the tables which support the work arepivotally connected to an endless carrier, (shown as sprocketchains,) sothat the said tables may start at the front of the machine and travel ina continuous path to the rear of the machine and thence back to thefront of the machine, moving in a substantially triangular path, whichhas a vertical portion at the front of the machine, where the hides orskins may be removed from one table and a new or untreated skin placedthereon, which is thereafter carried around the machine and acted uponby the working tools. The tables are preferably pivoted between theirends to the endless carrier, so that they may be reversed and caused tomove down in front of the operator in a substantially vertical position,thereby enabling a single operator to put on the untreated skins and totake off the treated skins, thus economizing in the cost of operatingma- 4 5 chines of this class. The reversal of the tables referred to mayand preferably will be effected automatically, as will be described. Thehide or skin on its passage from the front toward the rear of themachine may and preferably will be acted upon by operating-tools, whichmay be of any suitable or desired construction and herein shown as twosets of puttingout rolls, and on its passage from the rear to the frontof the machine the hide or skin is preferably acted upon by the othersets of tools, which may be putting-out rolls, like the front set,orwhich may be finishing-rolls, The putting-out rolls may be rotated, aswill be described, and may be movable toward and from the path ofmovement of the tables, as will be described. These and other featuresof this invention will be pointed out in the claims at the end of thisspecification.

Figures 1 and 2 are opposite side elevations, and Fig. 3 a longitudinalsection, of an apparatus embodying this invention.

Referring to the drawings, the framework to support the working partsconsists of two uprights or side frames a Z), separated from each otherthe proper or desired distance to permit of the travel between them of aseries or plurality of tables 0, (herein shown as six in number,) theside frames, as shown, being bolted or otherwise secured to a base cl.

The tables 0 are pivotally connected at or near their center and ontheir opposite sides to an endless carrier, (shown as link-chains e f,)which, as herein shown, are respectively passed over three largesprocket-wheels g h t' at one side of the machine and over likesprocket-wheels j 7t Z at the opposite side of the machine. Thesprocket-wheels g j are mounted on a shaft on, the sprocket-Wheels h 7;on a shaft 12, both located, as shown, atthe front of the machine, andthe sprocketwheels 2 Z are fast on a shaft 0 at the rear of the machine,situated so as to form the apex of a triangle, with the shafts mm at theopposite corners of said triangle, as shown in Fig. 3. The tables 0 maybe pivotally connected to the link chains of, as herein represented,bysupporting pins or rodsp q,projecting from opposite sides of said tablesnear their center and extended through bearing hubs r 8, attached to thelinks comprising said chains near the center of the said links. Eachlink chain will preferably be made double-that is, composed of doublelinks-and the bearing-hubs r s will be fastened between said links; butany other suitable construc- Ioo tion may be employed. The tables 0,being hung at their center, are capable of being turned in eitherdirection, which enables the height of the machine to be reduced andalso enables the machine to be run bya single operator, as will bedescribed.

The link chains constitute one form of endless carrier for the worksupports or tables 0, and are moved,as herein shown,by driving thesprocket-wheel shaft from the m ain shaft 2, provided, as herein shown,with a pulley 3. The main shaft 2 has fast on it a pinion 4, (see Fig.1,) which meshes with a gear on a counter-shaft 6, having at itsopposite end a pinion 7, (see Fig. 2,) which meshes with a gear 8, faston the sprocket-Wheel shaft 0. The positive rotation of thesprocket-wheels 1' Z on the shaft 0 produces, by means of the linkchains, rotation of the sprocket-wheels on the shafts m n at the frontend of the machine. The main shaft 2 is driven in such direction as tocause the tables to travel from the front to the rear of the machine andthence back to the front of the machine, and during this movement ortravel of the tables the hide or skin on each table is preferablysubjected to the action of two sets of operating-tools locatedintermediate of the front and rear sprocket-wheels, as represented inFig. 3. The lower set of operating-tools may and preferably will consistof two pairs of putting-out rolls 10 11 12 13, and the upper set may andpreferably will consist of like pairs of puttingout rolls 14 15 16 17.The putting-out rolls 10 11 have hearings in suitable supports movabletoward and from the path of movement of the tables, and in the presentinstance the roll 10 has bearings in levers 18 19, pivoted to the sideframes Ct 71, and the roll 11 has bearings in similar levers 20 21,pivoted, respectively, to the side frames at b, and the levers atopposite ends of the rolls 1O 11 are connected by preferably adjustablelinks 22 23 to levers 24, pivoted to the side frames at b, and providedwith counterweights 25, the links 22 23 being joined to the levers 24 onopposite sides of their pivots. The roll 12 has hearings in similarlevers 31, and the roll 13 has bearings in levers 32 33, the levers 3O32 and 31 33 being connected by links 34 35 to counterweighted levers36, pivoted to the side frames at b. The upper set of rolls 14 15 16 17are supported in a similar manner as the lower set of rolls, the rolls14 15 having bearings in the levers 41 42 43 and the rolls 16 17 havingbearings in the levers 4445 46 47.

The levers 4O 42 41 43 are connected by links 50 51 to counterweightedlevers 52 on opposite sides of their pivots, and the levers 44 46 45 47are connected to counterweighted levers 53 on opposite sides of theirpivots by links 54 55. The counterweights on the levers referred to actto bring the cooperating rolls of the various pairs toward each otherand into position to engage with and act upon the hide or skin on atable as the latter is carried between said cooperating rolls, theWeights on the said counterbalancing-levers exerting a working pressureon the hide or skin, and the downward movement of the weighted levers islimited by suitable stops,

shown as pins 59, projecting from the side frames.

The working rolls may and preferably will be positively rotated, whichmay and preferably will be accomplished as will be described.

The pair of working rolls 1O 11 are rotated in opposite directions bymeans of link chains 61, (see Fig. 1,) passed about sprocketwheels 62 63on the shafts of the rolls 10 11 and about sprocket-Wheels (not shown)on shafts 64 65, having mounted thereon a second set of sprocket-wheels66 67, which are reversely engaged by a link chain 68, passed about asprocket-Wheel 69 on a shaft 70, pro-- vided with a sprocket-wheel 71,which is connected by a link chain 72 to a sprocket-wheel (not shown) onthe main shaft 2. The main shaft 2 is provided with a secondsprocketwheel 73, which rotates the pair 16 17 of the upper set ofworking rolls in a similar manner to that just described by means of alink chain 74, sprocket-wheel 75 on shaft 0, sprocket-wheel 76, linkchain 77, sprocket- Which are in line with the sprocket-wheels 7 8 79,and only one, 790, of which is shown, and link chains 81, connectingsaid second pair of sprocket-wheels with sprocket-wheels 82 83 on theshafts of the rolls 16 17. The pair 12 13 of the lower set of workingrolls is driven in a similar manner from the shaft 0 (see Fig. 2) bysprocket wheel 85, link chain 86, sprocket-wheels 87 8S, sprocket-wheels89 90, link chains 91 92, and sprocket-wheels 93 94 on the shafts of therolls 12 13. The pair 14 15 of the upper set of working rolls is drivenfrom the shaft 0 by a sprocket-wheel, (not shown,) link chain 95,sprocket-wheel 96 on shaft 97, a like sprocket on shaft 97 and notherein shown, link chain 98, sprocket-wheels 99 100 101 102, link chains103 104, and sprocket-wheels 105 106 on the shafts of the rolls 14 15.The Working rolls of each pair are thus positively rotated and are yetfree to move toward and from each other and toward and from the path ofmovement of the traveling tables. In operation the tables travel fromthe front to the rear of the machine and thence back to the front again,as indicated by the arrow in Fig. 3, and on their travel they aresupported by suitable guides 110 112, suitably attached to the frameworkof the machine, the guides 110 on one side of the machine being madecontinuous and provided with a curved rear portion 113, which lattercooperate with studs or rolls 114 115 on one side of the table andlocated near the opposite ends of the same to turn the tables, as

shown in Fig. 3, and direct them toward the upper set ofoperating-rolls.

After a table has passed beyond the upper wheels 73 79, a second pair ofsprocket-wheels,

set of operating-rolls on its return movement its position or directionof travel, as herein shown, is partially reversed, so that it travelsdownward in an upright position with its front end uppermost until thesaid table has reached a position low enough to enable the reversal ofmovement to be completed, so as to present the front end of the table tothe lower set of operating-rolls. The reversal of movement of the tablesjust described enables a single operator to run the machine, asopportunity is afiorded to take off a treated skin afterit has beenoperated upon by the upper set of working rolls and to put onto thetable a new or untreated skin.

The reversal of the table referred to may and preferably will beaccomplished by suitable devices, one construction of which is hereinshown. A substantially upright or vertical bar 120 is attached to theside frame Z) by horizontal bars 121 and oppositely-inclinedv bars 122123. The upright bar 120 is provided at its upper end with a curvedportion or cam 124: to resist the movement of the table in the directionaway from the upper set of rolls, so that as said table is carrieddownward by the link chains it moves in front of the operator with itsfront edge uppermost, thus affording ample opportunity for the operatorto place an untreated skin over the table, which proceeds downward in asubstantially vertical path until the roller or stud 115 engages acurved arm or cam 125 on the lower guide-bar 110, whereupon the downwardmovement of the table in a vertical path is arrested and the tableturned by the continued movement of-the endless carriers, as representedin Fig. 3, to complete the reverse movement of said table and place thelatter with its front end in a posit-ion to be carried between the lowerset of operatingrolls. a

The hide or skin on a table is put out or otherwise worked by the lowerset of working rolls or tools on the passage of the table from the frontto the rear of the machine and is subjected to the action of the upperset of tools or rolls on the passage of said table from the rear to thefront of the machine.

When the table on its return movement has moved far enough so that theskin thereon has passed by the upper set of working tools, the said skinmay be drawn off or taken from the table, and after the latter has beenpartially reversed and turned into a substantially vertical position, asshown in Fig. 3, a new skin may be placed on the table by the operator.The operation just described is repeated as each table is carried aboutthe machine.

I may prefer to use cylindrical tools or working rolls, as herein shown;but I do not desire to limit my invention to any particular constructionor shape of tools. By causing the tables to travel in a substantiallytriangu lar path with a vertical portion of said path at the front ofthe machine the machine may be made of a minimum height and allow thetables to move down in front of the operator.

I claim- 1 1. In an apparatus of the class described, the combinationwith an endless carrier, of a table or support pivotally attached tosaid carrier intermediate of the ends of said table, means to move saidcarrier and cause the table or support to be carried about the machine,and means to automatically reverse the movement of said table,substantially as and for the purpose specified.

2. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with anendless carrier, a table or support pivotally attached to said carrierintermediate of its ends to enable said table to be turned in oppositedirections, Working tools to act on a hide or skin onsaid table, andmeans to automatically reverse said table or support, substantially asdescribed.

3. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with anendless carrier movable in a substantially triangular path, of a tablepivotally attached to said carrier and capable of being turned inopposite directions, a guide to direct the table on its movement fromone inclined path to the other, and means to automatically change theposition of the table and cause it to be moved in a substantiallyvertical path, substantially as described.

4. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with a seriesof tables provided at their sides with substantially central pivots,means to which said pivots are connected to carry said tables in anendless path, means to automatically reverse the position of each of thesaid tables while being carried through a portion of its endless path,and means cooperating with said table to act on a hide or skin placedthereon, substantially as described.

5. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with anendless carrier, a table pivoted thereto, working tools cooperatin gwith the said table as it is moved from the front to the rear of theapparatus, and working tools cooperating with said table as it is movedfrom the rear to the front of the apparatus, substantially as and forthe purpose specified.

6. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with acarrier movable in an endless path, of a table orsupport pivoted to saidcarrier intermediate of its ends to enable said table to be reversed inits movement, and means for reversing said table, substantially asdescribed.

7. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with anendless carrier movable in a substantially triangular path having asubstantially vertical portion at the front of the apparatus, of a tablepivotally attached to said carrier, and a guide to direct the table onits movement from one & 695,729

portion to another portion of said triangular from one inclined path tothe other, snbstan- 1o path, substantially as described. tially asdescribed.

8. In an apparatus of the class described, In testimony whereof I havesigned my the combination with an endless carrier inovname to thisspecification in the presence of 5 able in a substantially triangularpath, of a two subscribing Witnesses.

table pivotally attached to said carrier inter- ALBERT F. JONES. mediatethe ends of said table, and capable \Vitnesses: of being turned inopposite directions, and a .TAS. H. CHURCHILL,

guide to direct the table on its movement J. MURPHY.

